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Autos in Greek means "same" or "self", so in an autocratic government all the power is held by the leader him- or herself. Autocratic governments are often called dictatorships, or sometimes autocracies. In everyday life, a teacher, a parent, or a football coach can all behave like autocrats as well.
Examples of autocratic in a Sentence
democracy is supposed to protect the people against the rise of autocratic rulers
an autocratic Boy Scout leader who is under the delusion that he's still an army colonel
Recent Examples on the Web
Without any consequences, this autocratic politician will continue to push the limits of his authority beyond the breaking point until someone forces him to stop.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
Iranian meddling in the region has provided Arab dictators such as Syria’s Bashar al-Assad with both the moral and material means to suppress dissent, crush reform, and extend their autocratic rule.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
This was the fantasy in 1953, when the CIA and the British intelligence overthrew Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran’s prime minister who had nationalized the country’s oil, and delivered Iran to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s autocratic rule.
—Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
Allowing China and Russia entry would strengthen other autocratic regimes, reducing the deterrent influence of democratic alliances.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
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Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
Iranian meddling in the region has provided Arab dictators such as Syria’s Bashar al-Assad with both the moral and material means to suppress dissent, crush reform, and extend their autocratic rule.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
This was the fantasy in 1953, when the CIA and the British intelligence overthrew Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran’s prime minister who had nationalized the country’s oil, and delivered Iran to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s autocratic rule.
—Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
Allowing China and Russia entry would strengthen other autocratic regimes, reducing the deterrent influence of democratic alliances.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for autocratic
Cite this Entry
“Autocratic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autocratic. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
autocratic
adjective
au·to·crat·ic
ˌȯt-ə-ˈkrat-ik 
: of, relating to, or resembling autocracy or an autocrat
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